Mail-bag catcher



R. H. BARNITZ.

MAIL BAG CATQHER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. I3, I9I'9.

1,362,468. Patented Dec. 14,1920. I

3mm tor Mme UNITED STATES RICHARD H. BARNITZ, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

MAIL-BAG CATCHER.

Application filed November 13, 1919.

To old whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, RICHARD H. BARNITZ, citizen of the United States, residing at lVashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Bag Catchers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to mail bag catchers for use on mail cars to receive suitably supported mail bags as the car passes the station. The object of the invention is the production of a mail bag catcher having parts of special construction and arrangement whereby it is believed additional protection is afforded the operator; and the fork, usually rather heavy, is more readily and with less elfort placed in position for catching the mail bags, and removed from such catching position.

To illustrate the construction and arrangement of the parts of this invention, the accompanying drawings are inade a part of this application. Figure 1 is a front view of the door frame of a mail car having this invention applied thereto. In this view. the fork is shown with the handle vertical and the inclined member of the fork pointing downwardly. Fi 2 is ahorizontal section of the door frame upon the broken line 2-2 of Fig. 1 showing this invention in catching position. that is to say, with the handle substantially horizontal and pointing into the car, and the inclined member projecting outwardly in the direction of the movement of the car to catch the suspended mail bag in the customary manner. Fig. 3 is a side view of the bracket on the right side of the door frame as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The scale of drawing is somewhat increased, and the members of the fork are shown in section on the broken line 33 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a side view of the bracket on the left side of the door frame, the scale of drawing being somewhat enlarged. The members of the fork are shown in section on the indirect broken line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Throughout the description and drawings, the same letter is used to refer to the same art. p Considering the drawings, the car A has the door frame a, to which are secured the brackets B and b. At the ends of the brackets are sleeves C and 0, and in the sleeves there is removably secured the bar D by means of cotter pins d. In addition to acting as a limiting abutment or stop for Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 1.4, 1920.

Serial No. 337,681.

the rotary movements of the fork, the bar D is a safety device, extcnding across the open door of the mail car when the mail clerk places and removes the catcher or fork, and prevents a fall through the door in the event of a misstep with the heavy fork in hand. The bar D affords further effective aid in placing and in removing the fork, as set forth in the explanation of the operation of this invention hereinbelow.

vThe bracket B has the open groove E formed in rear of the sleeve C, and the bracket 6 has also a groove 6 formed in rear of the sleeve 0.

The fork included in. this invention is in the main of the ordinary pattern. It comprises the body F, with a handle f projectingtherefrom. There is a straight tapering member G passing directly through the body F, and an inclined member 9 projecting from the body. Between the body F and the bracket B on the member G are arranged in practice one or more rubber cushions H, and the extremity of the member G beyond the bracket, is turned down or provided with a lug h In the operation of this invention, it will be understood that the bar D, while removable, is usually kept in the position illustrated during the run of the car. When the clerk desires to place the fork upon the brackets, he rests the straight member upon the bar and passes the inclined member beneath the bar. The weight of the fork now falls upon the bar D, and it is an easy matter to slide the member G of the fork along the bar until one end portion may be brought into engagement with the groove 6 of bracket Z), and the end with. the lug placed as shown in the groove E. Left to itself, the fork will hang with the inclined member 9 downwardly, about as shown in Fig. 1. When, however, a bag is to be caught, the fork is rotated into the position shown in Fig. 2, and as it is rotated the butt of the in clined member 7 near the body F comes into contact with the bar and stops the upward movement at the precise point determined as best for the catching operation. When the bag is caught, a considerable blow is exerted upon the crook of the fork and upon the rubber cushion H, and immediately thereafter the reaction of the cushion sends the fork in the opposite direction, that is toward the right. and it is the function of lug h to meet the bracket B and to limit such reactionary movement, preventing the violent displacement of the fork. To remove the fork, it is simply lifted from the grooves, or, it may obviously be turned so that the straight member G again rests upon the bar D, to relieve the weight.

Having now described this invention, and explained the mode of its operation, what I claim is 1. In a'mail bag catcher, the combination with brackets having sleeves at the ends, of a bar removably secured in the said sleeves, the said brackets having grooves in rear of the said sleeves, a fork having a straight member adapted to engage the said grooves and an inclined member passing below the said bar whereby when the fork is rotated into catching position the bar limits the upward movement, and means for limiting the endwise movements of said straight member in the said grooves.

2. In a mail bag catcher, the combination with brackets, of a bar removably secured at the ends of the brackets, a fork having a straight member and an inclined member, devices borne by the brackets and constructed to removably and rotatively support the said straight member in rear of said bar, the said inclined member passing beneath said bar whereby when the fork is rotated into catching position the bar limits the rotative movement, and means for limiting the endwise movements of the said straight member.

3. In a mail bag catcher, the combination with a car door frame, of a bar, a fork comprising a straight member and a member inclined thereto, and supporting devices carried by the door frame and constructed to hold the bar in place at a distance from the frame and to removably support the said straight member of the fork between the aid bar'and frame.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

RICHARD H. BARNITZ. 

